Rush of Innocence (Rush Series #1)

by LR Potter

  “Two more on the house,” the bartender said, setting two more shots on the bar.

  She grinned at him and picked up one of the shots and saluted him before tossing it back. It barely stung this time.

  As she moved to pick up the second, she heard a husky, male voice next to her chuckle. “Wow. That must be some celebration you’re having.”

  She turned her head with a smile on her lips to the voice next to her. Her smile grew even wider when she saw who the voice belonged to.

  “Hunter Amhearst! What are you doing here?” she exclaimed as she set the shot down and threw her arms around his neck.

  Sliding his arms down to link his hands behind her waist, he smiled down at her. “For the same reason you are, I’m sure – Sundra invited me.”

  “Where are you staying?”

  “By coincidence, a friend of mine from Savannah called, and when I told him I was coming here, he decided to tag along. And when I say tag along, I mean: fly me here in his plane; and as he owns a slew of condominiums here in Vail, I’m staying at his place,” he replied.

  “Lucky you,” she grinned.

  “Yep, I am. He’s a pretty good guy, you’d like him. In fact, I’d like you to meet him.” Looking down to the end of the bar, “Well, maybe later, it looks like he’s tied up right now,” he said with a laugh.

  She looked down where Hunter indicated. Standing at the end of the bar, leaning negligently against it was the same man who’d sat next to her in the museum prior to her mad dash from Savannah. What were the chances? Rush Drayton had exchanged his Armani suit for jeans and a white long-sleeved T-shirt, which molded his broad torso and showcased his chest splendidly. He reminded her even more of the statues she studied at the museum. He was perfect, beautiful, and magnificent. She knew she should look away, but couldn’t force her eyes from him. Currently, his attention was captured by a young blonde woman in a very short skirt. Trinity swallowed when his face split into a devastatingly devilish grin at something the girl said to him. She dragged her eyes back to Hunter’s when he chuckled.

  “Yep, that’s usually every girl’s reaction to him. I don’t see it myself.”

  Trinity had the good grace to blush.

  “Where are you working? You finished school, didn’t you?” he asked.

  She laughed embarrassedly at his prior comment. “I did finish. I’m working at LaMont Fine Arts, she responded.

  “Wow, that’s impressive. Gavin Lassiter is a legend. You’ll learn a lot from him.”

  “I absolutely am.”

  She was forced to move aside when Sundra rushed over to hug Hunter.

  “Hunter! When did you arrive? You were suppose to call me, you bad boy. Come on, all the girls are dying to meet you. Come on, Trinity. Is that pitcher of margaritas for us?” At her nod, she continued, “Good, bring it with you.” Sundra had gone a couple of steps before turning back, “Hey, you might need to get another pitcher, okay?”

  “Okay,” she answered.

  As she waited for the second pitcher of margaritas, she turned her head and stared at the man at the end of the bar covertly under her lashes. When he turned his head and caught her staring at him, she smiled hesitantly at him and gave a small wave, embarrassed. He lifted his glass and tipped it in her direction while gracing her with a smile. Once the second pitcher was ready, she paid, then grabbed both pitchers and headed back to the table.

  As the night progressed, Trinity found herself continually seeking out the man at the bar. He stood as he had when she first saw him, leaning against the bar. He seemed a man set apart from everyone else, like an island unto himself. While he was a part of the room, he was removed from it at the same time. He seemed… isolated. This was a silly notion, as he was never left alone for any amount of time. Woman after woman approached him and gave it their best shot, but outside of the obvious flirtation, they all walked away as if dismissed.

  Trinity made a concerted effort to put him out of her mind and just enjoy her first night of freedom. Hunter dragged her out on the dance floor time and time again. She laughed and allowed herself to be the twenty-two-year-old she was.

  Hunter had her back on the floor for what seemed the hundredth time and was spinning her around, making her dizzy. She laughed up into his face and gripped his biceps within her hands to stop from falling. His gaze left hers for an instant to stare just over her shoulder.

  He smirked at her and said, “Well, well. It looks like you are Cinderella, my queen.”

  She laughed at his words while not really understanding them.

  “Cinderella? What do you mean?” she asked. “Queen?” she said on a laugh.

  He nodded his head at something behind her. She scrunched her eyebrows at him in confusion.

  “What?”

  As the fast beat of the music transitioned into a slower beat, Hunter spun her around so she could see what had gained his attention. Walking purposefully towards them was Rush Drayton. As he approached, the heat level in the room seemed to rise until she was flushed with it. He captured her eyes and held them steadily as he approached. Without conscious thought, she dropped her arms from around Hunter’s neck.

  Hunter dropped his arms as well and turned to his friend. “Hey, Rush. I thought you’d gotten glued to the bar, buddy,” Hunter said in greeting, having to shout over the music.

  Rush smiled at the words but didn’t take his eyes off hers.

  “Small world, huh?” he asked smoothly.

  “It certainly is,” she replied with a smile.

  Her head buzzed with the heat and the alcohol as she gazed up into his hazel eyes. He held her gaze for a long moment.

  Trinity watched as Hunter was tugged away by Sundra. Feeling awkward at being left on the dance floor with the gorgeous man next to her, she gave him a hesitant smile before turning back to the table.

  He caught her hand as she passed and gave a gentle tug, pulling her smoothly into his arms. “Dance with me.” His words were more of a command than a request.

  Automatically, she followed his instruction, not once considering refusing him. As she had with Hunter, she placed her hands on his biceps. His muscles were like stone beneath her fingers. She glanced up and blushed as he grinned at her. With smooth fluidity, he moved them slowly in time to the music.

  He placed his lips close to her ear so he could be heard over the music. “Well, of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.”

  She tilted her head to look into his incredibly sexy eyes.

  She smiled a little hesitantly. “Ahh. Casablanca. It’s no Aristotle, but fitting, nonetheless.”

  He grinned. “So how do you know Hunt?” he asked.

  She swallowed against her sudden case of nerves. “I was an art major, and he taught some of the classes. How about you?”

  “We went to school together.”

  “How long have you lived in Savannah?” she asked.

  “I’m Savannah born and bred, as they say,” he said with a grin.

  He was just so beautiful, and when he smiled, it was devastating. She gave him a returning smile. He applied a little pressure to her lower back and brought her body closer to his. She closed her eyes at the embrace and swallowed down her excitement at being held on the dance floor by this amazing man. She inhaled deeply to calm her nerves and his scent encompassed her, seemed to surround her, almost dazzling her.

  Her phone vibrated in her hip pocket between them. He drew back and grinned suggestively at the vibration of the phone against his body.

  “Do you need to get that?” he mused.

  She merely shook her and looked away, not wanting to think about her father right now.

  He halted briefly before continuing the dance. His body tensed against hers. “Are you involved with someone?” he asked with a sharp edge to his voice.

  “No,” she answered. She looked up into his face, quizzically, and shook her head.

  She felt his body relax back against hers as
he rested his lips back against her ear. “Good,” he murmured.

  He tensed again, however, when mere seconds later, her phone once again began to vibrate. She heaved a huge sigh, knowing she needed to put an end to the calls once and for all. She dropped her hand from his arms.

  She leaned up to speak into his ear. “I do need to take this. Thanks for the dance.”

  She gave him a quick smile before turning and walking out the front door of the club.

  She stepped a little way down the sidewalk and away from the noise before answering. “Hello.”

  “Young lady, can you please explain to me why you are in Vail? I expressly told you it wasn’t allowed?” her father burst out loudly.

  Trinity felt the heat flow up her neck and face at his words. “How do you know I’m in Vail, exactly?” she asked with deadly calm.

  “Alex tracked your phone, of course,” he answered as if it were no big deal, and was, in fact, a stupid question.

  She closed her eyes and rubbed a finger against her temple. When she reopened them, she saw Rush leaning against the wall, right outside the club, watching her intently while still affording her privacy.

  “This isn’t a good time,” she answered with a quick glance at Rush.

  “What the hell do you mean it’s not a good time? You need to get yourself home on the next plane. The next plane! Do I make myself clear?”

  Turning away from Rush and pushing one hand in her front pocket, she said, “Or what, Dad? What will you do? Will you eliminate me like you did all my dates? How could you? What right did you have? Do you know how hurt I am? How embarrassed I am? Do you even care?”

  “You had no right going through my things,” he exclaimed.

  “I had no right?” she laughed without humor. “You have got to be kidding me. I’m hanging up now, and I will not be answering again. Do you understand?”

  “How dare…” he began before she slowly clicked the phone off.

  She stood for a long time staring at the phone in her hand. He’d tracked her through her cellphone – like she was a child. In a fit of anger, she slammed the offending object on the ground and rammed the heel of her boot down on it over and over again until it was obliterated.

  Hurt, anger, and frustration washed over her in droves. She was sick and tired of being handled and bullied by him. Deep down, she felt like crying at the level of trust which had been broken. She’d always done as he’d asked and never ventured outside whatever lines he’d drawn. He was her only parent, her only family, and he’d treated her like one of the hundreds which came before his court every day.

  She jumped at the hand on her shoulder. She turned her head and looked up into the hazel eyes of Rush Drayton.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  Her stomach tied up in knots at his touch and nearness. Slowly, she nodded. She cleared her throat. “I should get back to the group. You can join us, if you want.”

  Almost as if he couldn’t help himself, he reached up a hand and smoothed the hair from her face.

  “I’d like that,” he answered quietly.

  Together, they walked back into the bar. He held the door open for her and she smiled her thanks, albeit, a strained smile, her night ruined by a man more than seventeen hundred miles away.

  By the time they arrived at the table, Hunter had all three girls out on the floor dancing. Trinity grabbed a seat.

  Rush leaned in to speak in her ear. “Do you want to dance?”

  She gave a strained smile and shook her head. She waved with her hand, telling him to go ahead without her. He smiled down at her and just shook his head. Instead, he grabbed a chair, sat next to her, and draped an arm across the back of her chair as they sat and watched those on the dance floor. Furious anger swelled within her, and she tensed involuntarily as thoughts of her father filled her head.

  Lifting her glass, she drained it before refilling it again. She glanced at Rush sitting next to her to find him watching her intently. She couldn’t really deal with him right now, either. She lifted the glass once more to her lips, trying to stave off the edgy feelings settling in her belly. Rush leaned forward and stayed her hand. She turned her eyes to his questioningly. He rose and held out a hand to her. She looked up at him, again questioningly. It was then she noticed the music had slowed, the lights going even dimmer. Her stomach muscles clenched at the thought of being that close to him again. She began to shake her head, but he tugged her body up to his, leaving her no choice.

  She swallowed but allowed him to lead her to the floor. As if he just somehow knew she was feeling vulnerable and raw, he pressed her tightly against his chest and wrapped his powerful arms around her. He rested his cheek against her hair and together they swayed to the gentle music. She breathed in his clean, male scent.

  She wondered how mad her father would be if she slept with a man she’d just met? Maybe she should have slept with them all on the first date; it obviously would have been her only opportunity before they were ‘eliminated’. Her jaw clenched against his chest.

  As if he could read her mind, goose bumps rose on her skin when he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Do you want to get out of here?”

  She hesitated only briefly before looking up into his eyes and giving him a nod. He flashed her a knowing smile and grabbed her hand. He stopped long enough to speak to Hunter, and together they walked out of the club.

  She shivered when they stepped back out into the cold, night air. He pulled her closer to his body for warmth. While she knew she should probably be affronted at his liberties, she found she liked him taking charge… how ironic was that? The alcohol in her system and her irritation at her father dulled the nerves which would have normally ruled her.

  “Have you been to Vail before?” he asked.

  “No, this is my first time.”

  “I have something I want to show you then. You game?” he asked with a grin.

  “For just about anything,” she answered with a hint of defiance in her tone.

  His lips twisted wryly and he chuckled. “Good to know.”

  He led them quickly to a nearby ski-lift, rented a blanket, and purchased passes for the lift. He held onto her tightly as the lift came up behind them. The heat from his body warmed the cocoon he’d made with the blanket covering them.

  “The lights from up here are so beautiful at night. Everyone should see it at least once,” he said against her ear.

  And he was right. The black sky was the perfect backdrop for the stars up above and lights down below.

  “It’s magnificent,” she whispered, not wanting to disturb the night. The artist in her was touched by the beauty.

  Rush draped his arm over her shoulders and was drawing small patterns on her arm with his fingertips.

  She looked up at him sitting close to her. “Thank you for bringing me here,” she said softly.

  He stared intently into her eyes before his gaze shifted to her mouth. She inhaled at the heat of his stare; it was almost like a physical touch.

  “You’re welcome,” he replied.

  She held her breath as he brought a hand to her face and traced the curve of her jaw.

  “I want to see you again,” he murmured. “Spend the day with me tomorrow.”

  “I don’t…” she began.

  He silenced her by pressing his fingertips against her lips. “Just say yes,” he commanded softly.

  Staring up into his beautiful face, she whispered, “Yes.”

  He rewarded her with a smile which made her heart jump within her chest. “Good girl.”

  Sitting back in his seat, he pulled her closer to his chest and rested his head against her hair, lacing his fingers with hers. They rode the rest of the way in silence. When they eventually returned back to their starting point, he held her hand as they walked back to the bar. He led her to a rental car in the parking lot. He unlocked her door and helped her in.

  He slid into the driver’s side and asked, “Where to?”

&nb
sp; “The Dragon Towers I. Do you know where that is?” she asked.

  His lips twitched. “Of course. I’m staying in the next complex over, Dragon Towers II.”

  She cocked her head in thought, remembering her earlier conversation with Hunter.

  “You own both Towers, don’t you?” she said with a grin.

  He grinned back at her. “Guilty.”

  He drove carefully through the snow-covered streets. When he arrived at the condominium, he parked in a reserved parking spot, walked around to her side, and opened her door. He offered her a hand out of the car and shut the door. Instead of walking towards the condo entrance as she expected, he instead stood in front of her. His height demanded she look up into his face.

  As he had on the ski-lift, he lifted a hand to trace the angle of her jaw. His gaze shifted from her eyes to her lips. He placed his hands on either side of her on the car’s roof, effectively capturing her within the prison of his arms. She closed her eyes as he drew near. Her heart began to pound and her breathing became rapid. His lips were a contradiction when they met hers. They were firm yet soft; and hot but cool. He inhaled sharply at the contact and drew back to study her again before pressing his lips back against hers. With the smallest of pressure, he opened her mouth with the tip of his tongue. With slow, flickering touches, he stroked into her mouth. The satiny feel of his tongue against her own had her panting as she struggled to catch her breath. At the sound of her increased breathing, he growled against her lips, and leaned in further to increase the pressure. She whimpered as she slid her arms around his waist. He wrapped his arms around her to draw her more snuggly against his body.

  His breathing was heavy when he pulled back. With a gentle hand he ran his fingertips over her bottom lip and studied it intently.

  “You are so beautiful,” he murmured, sounding almost surprised, as if he’d just realized it.